Leo was a happy little bear cub, but sometimes, big feelings would bubble up inside him. When things didn't go his way, a hot, fizzy feeling would start in his tummy and rush all the way up to his ears!
1
One sunny morning, Leo was building a tall tower of blocks. "Almost there!" he mumbled. But just as he placed the very last block, *CRASH!* The tower tumbled down.
2
The hot, fizzy feeling started. "Grrr!" growled Leo. He wanted to stomp his feet and shout. He felt like the fuzziest, fuzziest bear in the whole forest!
3
Just then, his wise old friend, Willow the owl, flew down and landed gently beside him. Willow had seen many big feelings in her long life. "Hello, Leo," she hooted softly. "What big feeling is visiting you today?"
4
Leo huffed. "It's a hot, fizzy feeling, Willow! My tower fell down!" Willow nodded. "Ah, anger. It's a powerful feeling, like a strong wind. But you can learn to calm the wind."
5
"First," said Willow, "let's try 'Bear Breaths.' Take a deep breath in, like you're smelling a yummy berry pie." Leo took a big sniff. "Now, blow it out slowly, like you're cooling a hot marshmallow."
6
Leo tried it again and again. In and out. In and out. The hot, fizzy feeling started to feel a little less fizzy, and a little less hot.
7
"Another trick," Willow chirped, "is to 'Turtle Time.' When the feeling is too big, imagine you are a turtle. Pull your arms and head into your shell, and count to ten slowly."
8
Leo tried 'Turtle Time.' He tucked himself in and counted. One… two… three… By the time he reached ten, the hot, fizzy feeling had almost floated away.
9
"Wow!" said Leo. "It worked!" Willow smiled. "Remember, Leo, it's okay to feel big feelings. But now you have special tools to help them float away, like clouds in the sky."
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